Increased adverse events following third dose of BNT162b2/Pfizer vaccine in those with previous COVID-19, but not with concurrent influenza vaccine

Abstract

Prior studies suggest that adverse events (AEs) following doses one and two of BNT162b2/ Pfizer vaccine are worse in those with a prior history of COVID-19. To establish whether this outcome applies to a third/booster dose, we conducted a survey with 534 healthcare workers (HCW) in Northeast England, who reported AEs following all three doses of BNT162b2/ Pfizer vaccine. We also explored AEs associated with concurrent seasonal influenza immunisation, in a subset of 492 HCWs. For all doses of BNT162b2/Pfizer vaccine there was a cluster of systemic AEs that were consistently worse in HCWs with a prior history of COVID-19. AEs were no worse in HCWs who received their third/booster dose within 7 days of the influenza jab, rather than further apart. Gender and the presence of ongoing COVID-19 symptoms (OCS) had no effect on AEs associated with COVID-19 or influenza vaccination, though younger HCWs experienced more AEs overall. Our findings have implications for vaccine hesitancy and immunisation protocols.